Halloween Candy Avoidance Tips and Tricks

1. Be selective.
Choose snacks that cause as little damage to your teeth as possible. Instead of candy and hard candy, choose chocolates that can be swallowed quickly and don't stick to your teeth. Avoid all kinds of candies that are acidic or chewy. Don't forget that even "healthy" snacks like pretzels and crackers can lead to cavities.

2. Limit the amount of time sugar is in contact with your child's teeth.
When shopping for Halloween treats, look for treats that can be eaten quickly, such as small candy bars. When you go home after collecting candy, discard hard or sticky candy, such as sugary fruit snacks, candy, or popsicles, as they increase the period when teeth are exposed to sugar. Encourage your child to eat small amounts of treats at a time, followed by a glass of water and a full toothbrush. It is not a good idea for your child to eat small amounts of snacks throughout the day because this increases the amount of contact time between sugar and teeth.

3. Teach your child to eat all kinds of foods in moderation.
Although the consumption of sweets is associated with the onset of cavities, all foods (even healthy alternatives such as fruits and nuts) can cause cavities if consumed in excess. Children, like adults, should consume all foods in moderation. Read nutrition labels to avoid foods and beverages high in sugar, fructose, and sweeteners.

4. Prepare a container of candy.
Allow your child to take candy from the container every day and monitor consumption. This way, he can control how much candy he eats.

5. Go trick-or-treat on a full stomach.
Keeping your stomach full can limit your craving for Halloween treats.

6. Use fluoride to fight cavities.
Fluoride can greatly reduce the damage caused by cavities. The most common ways to use fluoride to prevent cavities are to use toothpastes and other fluoride products and to drink water that contains fluoride.

Children are advised to brush their teeth at least twice a day for two minutes with a small amount of fluoride toothpaste (the size of a pea) and rinse their mouth with fluoridated water. Fluoride treatments applied directly to the teeth can also be performed in the dentist's office. If your area does not have fluoridated water, consult your dentist about fluoride supplements.